Programs & Services
General information about Programs & Services
Children & Youth Programming
Rankin Daycare
Rankin Daycare has been in operation since 1976, and is currently licensed by the Ministry of Education for a maximum capacity of 60 children. We provide five programs:
- School Age Program
- JK/SK Program
- Preschoolers: ages 30 months to 6 years
- Toddlers: ages 18 months to 30 months
- Infant Program: ages 1 month to 18 months
Our goals are to provide an enriched environment where children can develop physically, mentally, emotionally, socially and spiritually in a culturally appropriate setting. We teach the “family” concept, which means that children learn how to trust, seek and develop friendships with others, and to find comfort with others as well.
Children are encouraged to learn from play and find their own limitations and strengths. We help kids discover new learning techniques and develop a growing understanding of the world around them.
Activities
Teaching BFN culture through arts and crafts, language and story telling throughout the day. After-school program to educate the older children that might not be able to access the language.
Who We Service
Parents/guardians with childcare during the hours of 8:00 am to 4:45 pm, Monday to Friday.
Contact
- Ph: (705) 759-0330
- Fax : (705) 759-9664
- Linda Huber, Director of Children’s Programming
lhuber@batchewana.ca - Samantha McCormick, On-Floor Supervisor
mccormick@batchewana.ca - Janelle Boissoneau, Child Care Administrative Assistant
janelle@batchewana.ca
Hours of Service
- 8:00 am – 4:45 pm
- Closed for statutory holidays, March Break, the last two weeks in July, and Christmas (in conjunction with the school board)
- Closed three days per year for Professional Development
EarlyON
Batchewana First Nation (BFN) delivers EarlyON programs in the communities of Obadjiwan, Goulais Bay, & Rankin.
All BFN EarlyON programs provide safe, secure and inclusive family-friendly environments within the traditional territory of the Batchewana First Nation and within the boundaries of the 1850 Robinson Huron Treaty. We offer free culturally appropriate programs, including:
- The seven Grandfather Teachings
- The Medicine Wheel
- Food and Culture
- And much more!
Our programs use Ontario’s Pedagogy for the Early Years: “How Does Learning Happen”
Activities
- Traditional teachings for children aged 0-6 & their families
- Mitt-making
- Traditional skirt/shirt making
- Beading
- Swimming (in town)
- Gymnastics (in town)
- Skating (in town)
Who we Service
Families with children 0-6 years old.
Locations
- Obadjiwan 15E, #896 HWY 563 Batchawana Bay
- Goulais Bay 15A, #2811 Goulais Mission Rd.
- Rankin 15D, 99 Gran St., Sault Ste. Marie
Contact
- Stephenie Dinsmore, Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE)
Obadjiwan 15E, #896 HWY 563 Batchawana Bay
Ph : 705-989-5079
- Terrie Lee Agawa, RECE
Goulais Bay 15A, #2811 Goulais Mission Rd.
Ph: 705-989-4917
- Kelci Robinson
Rankin 15D, 99 Gran St., Sault Ste. Marie
Ph: 705-989-7102 - Linda Huber, RECE – Director of Children’s Programming
230 Frontenac St., Sault Ste. Marie
Ph: 705-992-3322
Hours of Service
- Monday: 8:00am – 12:00pm Nutrition Pick (town) Goulias & Obadjiwan & 1:00-4:00pm EarlyON program
- Tuesday – Friday: 8:00am-12:00pm & 1:00-4:00pm
Forms
- Attendance
- Daily Sign-In Form
- Weekly Cleaning Schedule
- Field Trip Permission Form
- Accident Form
- Allergy Form
- Serious Occurrence Forms
- Individualized Plan and Emergency Procedures for a Child with an Anaphylactic Allergy
Batchewana First Nation Youth Centre
A youth drop-in centre that is a safe and inclusive space for all BFN children and youth to attend up to seven days per week. The Centre offers daily programming and activities for youth, as well as snacks and refreshments.
Activities
- Right to Play: Youth are able to participate in play-based learning, team building activities, creating new friendships and enhancing self-esteem
- Sports: Basketball, Baseball, Hockey, Football, Soccer Baseball, Lacrosse
- Outings: Whitefish Island, Hiawatha Highlands, Bellevue Park, Hiking
- Meal Nights: Youth are served a home cooked meal each week and are able to assist w/ preparation
- Movie Nights: Each Friday night is movie night (popcorn/snacks & refreshments)
- Arts & Crafts: Youth are able to create different projects throughout the month
- Land-based & Cultural Learning: Outdoor survival tactics, finding and identifying plants & medicines, beginner beading, teachings of medicine wheel & dreamcatcher, beginner gardening, guest speakers/presenters
Who We Service
Batchewana First Nation children and youth from 6 to 18 years of age.
Contact
- Thomas Tegosh
Youth Centre Supervisor
Cell: 705 975 4175
Email: tegosh@batchewana.ca - Linda Huber
Director of Children Services
Cell: 705 992 3322
Email: lhuber@batchewana.ca
Hours of Service
- 6-18 years of age
- Monday to Friday, 4:00pm – 8:00pm
- Saturday & Sunday, 3:00 – 8:00pm
- 13-18 years of age
- Monday to Friday, 8:00pm – 9:30pm
- Saturday & Sunday, 8:00pm – 9:30pm
*BFN Youth Centre is closed on all statutory holidays
Forms
Parents/Guardians must fill out a Youth Centre Participant Intake Form to inform staff of allergies, medication, and emergency purposes.
Recreation Activator
The Community Aboriginal Recreation Activator runs various programs throughout the year for multiple ages. Many are youth sports-based activities, including Girls at Bat, in which we partner with Jays Care; mini soccer league, the Early Years skating program, canoeing and kayaking excursions and many more.
The Recreation Activator also coordinates the annual Pow Wow, which brings the community together to offer a great cultural experience. A winter/spring event is the BFN Little Native Hockey League (LNHL) team, which allows our youth a great experience to play organized sport and represent our community.
Activities
- Youth Sports Programing
- Little Native Hockey League (LNHL)
- Pow Wow
- Winter Carnival
- Nutrition Program
- Easter events
- Land-based activities
- Cross-country Skiing
- Halloween Dance
- Baseball
- Camping and Fishing
- Christmas Party
- Mini Soccer
Who We Service
Children, Youth, Adults and Elders.
Note: Most programs are designed for youth
Contact
- Joey Sewell
Ph: 705-992-4509
Email: jsewell@batchewana.ca - Linda Huber
Email: lhuber@batchewana.ca
Hours of Service
- 8:30-4:30 (with the exception of planned evening and weekend programming)
Forms
- Permission Form
- Student Nutrition Form
Education/Learning
The Batchewana Learning Centre has been an education staple within the Batchewana community since September of 1994. From its inception in the Batchewana First Nation Conference room to its current location at 15 Jean Avenue, the centre has maintained a mission to offer students an alternative education setting, which expands past academics to mental wellness.
Batchewana First Nation has been proactive in their educational approach by supporting students’ needs, not just educational needs, but holistically ensuring services are trauma-informed and culturally-based. Batchewana Education Department provides a multidisciplinary team of wrap-around supports including behavioral services, speech and language, occupational therapy, mental health, early detection, culture and land-based education for students. Batchewana Education opened a private school to support student success; this school provides education to students who cannot remain in mainstream school. It takes an educational approach that meets students where they are while giving support that addresses presenting concerns and prepares students to reintegrate back into the mainstream school system.
ACTIVITIES
Elementary & Secondary School Liaison
- Planning and running programs and events to support academic growth at the elementary level;
- Attending case meetings in regards to student wellbeing and academic success;
- Attending team meetings in regard to policy and planning for student success initiatives;
- Tracking student progress and maintaining updated files for each registered student;
- Giving access to funded avenues of support, such as supply cheques and tutoring funding.
Post-Secondary Counsellor
- Provide Guidance and career counseling for students & adults seeking Post Secondary funding
- Approval & administration of Post Secondary Budget according to Batchewana First Nation Post Secondary
- Liaisons and represents Batchewana First Nation on Post Secondary boards and committees at Algoma University and Sault College
- Provide Sponsorship Letters, Daily Office Administration
- Post Secondary Policy Review, Nominal Roll (Submitted annually to ISC )
- Professional Development & Training
Special Education
- Emotional – Counselling, Music Therapy, Occupational Therapy
- Behavioural – Behaviour Analysis, Self Regulation, Transition, Parent Coaching
- Communication – Speech/Language Therapy, Numeracy/Literacy, Hearing Tests
- Academic – Tutoring (Kumon etc)
- Indigenous Support Workers (ISW) – in school support
- Special Education also offers Psycho-Education Assessments and Individual Education Plans (IEPs)
- We assist with Individual Placement and Review Committee (IPRC) Meetings
- Physiotherapy
Education Wellness Team
The Education Wellness Team provides:
- Student Mental Wellness for BFN students aged 6yrs-18yrs. Our workers provide one-to-one sessions using evidence-based strategies such as, polyvagal, sand tray, strength-based, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and solution-focused therapy.
- Land-Based Specialist provides support to BFN students aged 6 yrs-18 yrs. Our land-based specialist supports students in school providing teachings, connecting students to land, learning survival skills, and learning about our traditional Anishinaabek ways.
- Early Detection Worker provides support to BFN students aged 0-6 yrs old. Our early detection worker can assess children to determine if they are meeting their developmental milestones and provide necessary intervention.
Who We Service
The Education Team (Elementary, Secondary, Special Education & Wellness areas) supports Batchewana First Nation children who are school-aged -18 yrs old and:
- Students and children who are BFN band members; or
- Students and children who reside on one of our communities; or
- Students and children who have a parent who is a BFN band member.
Contact
Shelly Pewapsconias
Education Director
Office phone: (705) 759-7285 ext. 213
Email: shelly.pewapsconias@batchewana.ca
Taylor Madonna
Elementary School Liaison
Office phone: (705) 759-7285 ext. 219
Email: taylor.madonna@batchewana.ca
Tiffany Godin
Secondary School Liaison
Office phone: (705) 759-7285 ext. 215
Email: tiffany.godin@batchewana.ca
Christine Sayers
Post Secondary Counsellor
Office phone: (705) 759-7285 ext. 214
Email: christine.Sayers@batchewana.ca
Rachelle Lambert
Special Education Manager
Office phone: (705) 759-7285 ext. 209
Email: rlambert@batchewana.ca
Meredith Sewell
Behaviour Lead
Email: Meredith.Sewell@batchewana.ca
Kyla Sewell
Special Education Administrative Assistant
Office phone: (705) 759-7285 ext. 220
Email: kyla.sewell@batchewana.ca
Education Wellness Team
For more information, please email education.wellness@batchewana.ca
Or call the Batchewana Learning Centre: 705-759-7285 ext 205
Wayne Greco
Batchewana Learning Centre Principal
Office phone: (705) 759-7285 ext. 204
Email: principal@batchewana.ca
Anna Canduro
Batchewana Learning Centre Teacher
Office phone: (705) 759-7285 ext. 217
Email: teacher@batchewana.ca
Hours of Service
Monday- Thursday
8:30AM – 4:30PM
Community Health Team
The Community Health Team offers public health programs and public health supports to Batchewana First Nation band members while incorporating a holistic health perspective with an Indigenous lens.
Activities
- Communicable disease prevention: Immunizations, case management and contact tracing, public health education, harm reduction supplies
- Chronic disease management: Screening/management for diabetes, hypertension and cancer
- Confidential health system navigation
- Referrals to other health services such as registered dietician, diabetes nurse educator, social worker, foot care nurse etc.
- Traditional health program-name, colour and clan ceremonies
- Individual consults based on need
- Healthy child development nurse assists parents and caregivers to provide children with the best possible start. This is done through home visits, breastfeeding support, growth and development support, nutritional support, system navigation and assistance with Jordan’s Principle applications.
- Other Services: Provision of over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol, Nix and Polysporin (An assessment must be completed as outlined by Health Canada policy.)
- Environmental Health and safe drinking water program
- Health and safety information and training
Who We Service
We provide services to:
- Batchewana band members
- Community members (those who have an on-reserve addresses) and
- Household contacts of Batchewana band members
Healthy Child Development Nurse Educator provides services to Batchewana band members who are new parents and their children between the ages of 0-6. Services are also provided to infants and children aged 0 to 6 who are Batchewana band members but whose caregivers are not Batchewana band members.
Contact
- Renée Rousselle, RN BSCN NSWOC
Integrated Community Health Nurse Manager
Ph: 705 254 7827 x140
Email: renee.rousselle@batchewana.ca - Regis Poulin
Community Health Representative
Ph: 705 254 7827 x107
Email: Regis.pouline@batchewana.ca - Carissa Jaeger
Health Program Planner
Ph: 705 254 7827 x 144
Email: Carissa.jaeger@batchewana.ca - Jessica Capriata, RPN
Healthy Child Development Nurse Educator
Ph: 705 257 5836
Email: Jessica.capriata@batchewana.ca
Hours of Service
Office hours Monday to Thursday 8:30am to 4:30pm, closed from 12:00 to 1:00 for lunch
Evening and weekend programs offered
Community Wellness Team
The Community Wellness Team provides voluntary mental health and substance use support services to the community of Batchewana First Nation (BFN), including Rankin, Goulais Bay and Obadjiwon. The team works both within groups and on an individual basis to support people providing holistic services to BFN members aged 12 and over. Programs and services include:
- Adult Wellness: Case management support for individuals experiencing a decline in mental wellbeing, a mental health crisis, substance use challenges, food security, connections to culture and more. Case managers provide supportive counselling, psychoeducation, and referrals to internal (BFN) and external resources.
- Youth Wellness: Youth wellness workers provide case management support to youth seeking support with skill development, connection to basic need resources (food, shelter, culture, etc.), land-based recreation, support with transitions (e.g. from elementary school to high school), and early substance use prevention.
- Counselling: Counselling offers a safe space for individuals to navigate life’s challenges and enhance self-awareness and emotional resilience with a trained clinician. The service is confidential and allows for the opportunity to gain new perspectives, develop coping strategies and build a deeper understanding of self.
- National Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program (NNADAP) and Outreach/Aftercare: Assistance with connecting to withdrawal management, applying to residential treatment centres and connection to aftercare services. These programs connect with loved ones from a harm reduction model to the completion of treatment and everywhere in between.
Activities
Cultural connections, case management, outreach, youth work, psychoeducation, prevention programming, counselling and psychotherapy, group programming, addiction support including harm reduction, connection to withdrawal management and referrals to treatment centres. Regularly scheduled programs include:
- Women’s Group: A support group that offers self-care support, connection to culture, mental health and addiction education and so much more. This program cycles through each community all year!
- Youth Night: Provides a safe space for youth to have fun and learn life skills! Youth Night collaborates with various BFN departments in order to provide the best support and resources to our young ones.
- Buffalo Riders: An early-prevention program for youth that are at risk of experimenting with substances. The program is culturally appropriate combined with western approaches such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
- Mental Health First Aid (MHFA): Support to persons who may be experiencing a decline in their mental well-being. Participants in MHFA will receive a certification from the Mental Health Commission of Canada. Our goal is to provide this training to every BFN community member (16+) at no charge.
- Spirit HORSE (Harm Reduction, Outreach, Resources, Safety, and Education): Spirit HORSE is a monthly outreach program provided in all three communities. It meets community members confidentially where they are at, with no judgment. At the heart of Spirit HORSE is the traditional value of non-interference and safety.
Who We Service
- Adult Wellness: Ages 18+
- Youth Wellness: Ages 12-18
- Counselling: Ages 12+
- National Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program and Aftercare: Ages 18+
Contact
- Batchewana Health Centre Main Number: 705-254-7827
- Daniel Neal, Community Wellness Mental Health Clinician Manager: ext. 158
- Lacey Dalton, Community Mental Wellness Team Lead: ext. 160
- Jazlyn Sayers, Adult Wellness: ext 138
- Destiney Roach, Adult Wellness: ext 134
- MacKenzie Senecal, Youth Wellness: ext 163
- Danielle Robinson, Youth Wellness: ext 136
- Michelle Aubrey, Community Outreach and Aftercare: ext 159
- Danielle Burmaster, NNADAP: ext 133
- Megan Cuglietta, Counselling: ext 130
- Spirit Horse: Confidential phone to text or call and leave a voicemail 705-989-2331
Hours of Service
Monday to Thursday, 8:30am-4:30pm
Forms
- Community Wellness Referral Form/Intake form
- Consent Forms
- Service Plans
Family Wellness Team
We are a preventative, strength-based program that assists Batchewana First Nation community and families in building capacity, connections, and overall wellness.
The goal of our program is to keep families together, support reunification and provide a variety of prevention services to ensure that families have wrap-around services within their own community.
Activities
- Band Representatives: Oversee and monitor child welfare matters, complete legal documents and ensure cultural disposition in child protection proceedings; act as case managers in the legislative process; mediate between the family; internal and external services and the mandated child welfare agencies involved.
- Family Advocate: Provide families with support and advocacy when child welfare services are involved, increase awareness, access internal and external resources, connect families with culture, community programs, events and educational sessions.
- In-Home Support: Provide in-home supports and skill building to high-risk families; work with families in need of housing, registration and various documentation. Participate in family-centered, skill-focused programming. In-home skills supports offered such as parenting, organizing, cooking.
- Grandmas and Aunties: Planning and coordinating programs and events for families, recruiting potential caregivers, one on one support for caregivers of grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and community members. Supporting prevention-focused customary care funding arrangements, identifying and addressing individual family and community needs to promote connection, belonging and improved family wellness.
- Community Wellness: Coordinating and facilitation of community events, educational sessions, programming.
Who We Service
We serve registered, eligible and Batchewana First Nation community members. Members can be either living in their community or urban to access support.
Contact
Shelby Maione, Team Lead: 705-998-4430
Hours of Service
Monday to Thursday 8:30am-4:30pm
Home and Community Care Program (HCCP)
The Home and Community Care Program (HCCP) is intended to address the needs of people of all ages – seniors, frail elderly, persons with disabilities and chronic diseases – who require ongoing health and personal care to live safely and independently in their First Nation community.
Services
When you are deemed eligible for service after the intake and assessment process you may be provided with the following services:
- Homemaking Services
- Personal Support Work Services
- In-Home Respite Care
Other programs that you may be provided with are:
- Emergency pendants (Life-Alert)
- Snow Removal – plowing
- Essential Transportation
- Community Support Referrals
How to Access Services
If you are interested in receiving services, please call the Batchewana First Nation Health Centre or contact the Home and Community Care Coordinator. Referral to the Home and Community Care Program can be initiated by the applicant and/or family member, community program (s), external agencies and primary health care providers.
Who We Service
You are eligible for services if you meet ONE of the following criteria:
- Elderly persons in need of support services
- Adults with physical and mental disabilities
- People of any age who require support services at home for short periods while recovering from being hospitalized.
AND
You are eligible for services if you meet ALL the following criteria:
- You are a resident of the community
- Your condition is such that adequate service can be provided at home with resources available in the program
- There is no significant risk of harm to the service provider.
Contact
- Batchewana First Nation Health Centre
Ph: 705-254-7827
Fax: 705-759-8716 - Veronica Godbout, RPN, Home & Community Care Coordinator
Ph: 705-254-7827 Ext. 142
Email: Veronica.Godbout@batchewana.ca - Erin Robinson, RN, Home & Community Care Nurse Manager
Ph: 705-254-7827 Ext. 155
Email: Erin.Robinson@batchewana.ca
Hours of Service
Monday to Friday, 8:30 am-4:30 pm
Lands
Content coming soon.
Natural Resources
The Batchewana Natural Resources Department (BNR) Mining and Aggregate Supervisor is responsible for the management and operations of the BFN’s Mining and Aggregate Program. The BFN Mining and Aggregate Program initiative is to insure BFN manages our resources with in BFN’s Original Reserve in a matter that reflects are responsibilities as Anishinaabe.
Activities
- Environmental Committee
- Site Visits
- Environmental Permit reviews
- Implementation of agreements
- Coordinate and report funding opportunities
Who We Service
Batchewana First Nation Community and Members
Contact
Jean Johnson
705-946-9980 Cell
705-908-3784 EXT 217
jjohnson@batchewana.ca
Hours of Service
Monday to Thursday
8:30AM to 4:30PM
Niigaaniin Services
Niigaaniin Services delivers the provincial Ontario Works program and Ontario Disability programs. These programs provide financial assistance to eligible individuals and families in financial need that meet the requirements. To apply for these services, you must be living on reserve within the Batchewana First Nation three communities.
By meeting the requirements of the Ontario Works program we can assist with employment training program and employment start ups.
In addition to the above, the Niigaaniin Aaniish Naa Councillor provides services to help people with mental health, grief and addictions, and the Niigaaniin Food Bank is available to all community members living on reserve.
Activities
Niigaaniin Food Bank is offered to all community members living on reserve and Batchewana First Nation members on or off reserve.
People can access the food bank once per month and one per household.
Who We Service
All Batchewana First Nation Members and community members living in Batchawana Bay, Goulais Bay and Rankin on reserve.
Contact
- Rhonda LeSage
Niigaaniin Manager
705-759-0914 ext. 220 - Rachel Boissoneau
Niigaaniin Caseworker
705-759-0914 ext. 219 - Elizabeth Jordan
Niigaaniin Caseworker
705-759-0914 ext. 221 - Jodi Scobie
Niigaaniin Caseworker
705-759-0914 ext. 218 (currently on maternity leave) - Rebecca Boissoneau
Food Bank Worker
705-759-0914 ext. 233 - Tina Mejaki
ODSP Caseworker
705-759-0914 ext. 253 - Constance Pangowish
Aaniish Naa Worker
705-849-7632
Hours of Service
Monday to Thursday 8:30am-12:00pm, and 1:00pm-4:30pm
Niigaaniin Food Bank Hours
Rankin
Monday to Thursday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, closed at lunch.
Goulais Bay
Every Third Thursday of the month from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Batchawana Bay
Every Second Thursday of the month from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Note: If a community member from Goulais Bay or Batchawana Bay miss the pick-up date in their location and are in town, they can access it in Rankin or have someone else pick it up for them.
Forms
If you need to apply for any of our services, please contact our office and we will be glad to schedule an appointment.